Wednesday, December 22, 2010

308,745,538 people.

The results of the 2010 Census are in, and as of April 1, the official population of the United States was 308,745,538. Over the past decade, we grew by 9.7%, slower than the 13.2% growth rate of the previous decade. But the growth didn't happen equally across America. Some parts of the country lost people; other parts gained them. Interestingly, deep blue (that is, heavily taxed and unionized) states lost big numbers of folks. Red states picked them up. This means that when congressional districts are reapportioned based on the new population numbers, GOP-leaning states will pick up more seats. According to the Associated Press:

This is Monica Crowley. You can catch her on the The McLaughlin Group, Sunday mornings on PBS.

"Texas will gain four new House seats, and Florida will gain two. Gaining one each are Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah and Washington.

Ohio and New York will lose two House seats each. Losing one House seat are Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Florida will now have as many U.S. House members as New York: 27. California will still have 53 seats, and Texas will climb to 36.

So Ohio and New York will both lose two house seats, probably those of Democrats. That is great ! Texas and Florida will gain two each. Unfortunately those will probably go to Republicans. Wouldn't it be great if there was some more representation from a political party that just wanted to leave you alone ? If any of these numbers matter to you, then your government has gotten too big.